Rangers have been dealt a blow ahead of tomorrow’s league cup quarter-final clash with St Mirren after Steven Gerrard revealed that Ryan Jack is set to face an extended spell on the sidelines, as reported by The Herald.
Speaking as part of the pre-match build up to the tie, the Gers gaffer gave a quick update on the availability of his players:
“Still no Ryan Jack, he is moving along but not ready. Everyone else is available except Katic. Ryan hasn’t suffered a setback, it won’t be too long before he returns but it is important not to rush him.”
Thankfully, we are well covered in midfield and with Bongani Zungu now up to full speed, we could get to see him starting again having impressed against both Hamilton and Lech Poznan on his two previous outings.
The fixture list is a long and congested one and Gerrard is right in not rushing Jack back to competitive action, with five central midfielders to call upon, there simply isn’t the need to pressurise the Scotland international into making a return before his body is ready.
Have Rangers missed Ryan Jack?
Yes
No
Long term, he really needs to get his knee fixed, unfortunately it may be Rangers that suffers as a result of Scotland making the European Championships next summer, there is no way – and understandably so – that Jack will want to miss that opportunity, and as a result, don’t be surprised if he goes under the knife as soon as Steven Clarke’s side is eliminated.
The squad depth has been a key element in our success so far this season but Jack’s unique style of play offers a great foil to the likes of Scott Arfield and Joe Aribo, hopefully he is back sooner rather than later, especially with an Old Firm derby on the horizon.